End of Book 3/Spoiler
While Darnay is being taken away, Cruncher and Ms. Pross are out shopping. They go to a wine shop, where Ms. Pross actually reunites with her long-lost brother Solomon, who is going by the fake name John Barsad, and is actually a spy. Barsad wants nothing to do with her because her behavior is threatening to expose him. Just as they're about to part, Sydney Carton reveals himself. He uses his knowledge of Barsad's past to force him to go to Tellson's with him. Barsad is worried about being guillotined for treason, so he agrees to Carton's terms, because Carton knows that he has evidence and the upper hand on Barsad. Carton's terms are that he is able to meet with Darnay once before his execution. Carton goes on to buy something from a chemist, and then shows how he has changed by helping a young girl cross the muddy street. Ms. Pross notices this change by observing that he now carries himself with confidence.
Darnay is brought to trial once again. Here we are shocked to learn that the 3rd accuser is Dr. Manette himself. This is true because Defarge has a letter that Manette wrote himself while in the Bastille. The letter tells how the Marquis de Evrémonde and his brother raped a girl, then killed her husband and brother without any remorse. Manette was imprisoned by them because he was the doctor that tended to them, and the brothers thought that he knew too much. In his letter, Manette condemns the rest of the Evrémondes' family line to death. The jury finds Darnay guilty and schedules him to be executed to pay for the sins of his family. Manette goes pale, and relapses into his incoherent state while Lucie is composed enough to be able to kiss Darnay before he is taken back to his cell.
After hearing the verdict, Carton goes to the Defarges' wine shop, where he pretends to not understand French. The Defarges speak openly around him, and Carton overhears that they are going to accuse Lucie and Little Lucie as well. We goes to the apartment and tells Lorry to prepare for their immediate departure the next day, before Darnay's execution. Lorry promises to save a spot for Carton, and leave as soon as he arrives. Early the next morning, Carton uses his favor from Barsad to enter Darnay's cell an hour before his scheduled execution. He switches clothes with Darnay, and before Darnay knows it, Carton drugs him with the chloroform that he bought. Barsad drags the real Darnay out, claiming that he fainted from the emotion of seeing his friend for the last time. The unconscious Darnay is taken to Lorry's awaiting carriage and everyone believes he is Carton.
Cruncher and Ms. Pross are scheduled to finish packing and leave after the others. Unfortunately, Madame Defarge decides to check on Lucie before that days executions, and heads for her apartment. She gets there only to find Ms. Pross. They don't speak each other's language, but get the gist of what the other is saying. A struggle ensues when Ms. Pross wont let Madame Defarge leave. The struggle lasts until Madame Defarge draws for her gun, and accidentally shoots and kills herself. Ms. Pross leaves her dead body there as she meets Cruncher at their carriage. Cruncher realizes that something is wrong when Ms. Pross can't hear anything. She has indeed gone deaf.
Things become tense for the reader as Lorry's carriage is stopped at several checkpoints to have their papers verified by officials. Everything checks out, and they escape safely.
The book ends with an emotional scene at the guillotine. Carton is carted to his death with 51 others. He holds the hand of a young peasant girl along the way, who says that he gives her courage and strength. He kisses her goodbye and ensures her that it will be quick. Madame Defarge's friends note that she is late and never misses an afternoon at the guillotine. Carton, or 'Darnay', is the next up to be killed. He imagines the life that Darnay and Lucie will live together because of the one that he gave up. He sees Lucie crying for him on the anniversary of his death, and Manette and Lorry living happy, long lives. Carton finally sees that his name is redeemed and that he has now made up for his disappointing life. Carton knows his decision was the right one, and the crowd is described at noticing how peaceful and calm Carton's disembodied head looked. A Tale of Two Cities ends here, with a bittersweet ending that leaves its readers feeling emotional.
While Darnay is being taken away, Cruncher and Ms. Pross are out shopping. They go to a wine shop, where Ms. Pross actually reunites with her long-lost brother Solomon, who is going by the fake name John Barsad, and is actually a spy. Barsad wants nothing to do with her because her behavior is threatening to expose him. Just as they're about to part, Sydney Carton reveals himself. He uses his knowledge of Barsad's past to force him to go to Tellson's with him. Barsad is worried about being guillotined for treason, so he agrees to Carton's terms, because Carton knows that he has evidence and the upper hand on Barsad. Carton's terms are that he is able to meet with Darnay once before his execution. Carton goes on to buy something from a chemist, and then shows how he has changed by helping a young girl cross the muddy street. Ms. Pross notices this change by observing that he now carries himself with confidence.
Darnay is brought to trial once again. Here we are shocked to learn that the 3rd accuser is Dr. Manette himself. This is true because Defarge has a letter that Manette wrote himself while in the Bastille. The letter tells how the Marquis de Evrémonde and his brother raped a girl, then killed her husband and brother without any remorse. Manette was imprisoned by them because he was the doctor that tended to them, and the brothers thought that he knew too much. In his letter, Manette condemns the rest of the Evrémondes' family line to death. The jury finds Darnay guilty and schedules him to be executed to pay for the sins of his family. Manette goes pale, and relapses into his incoherent state while Lucie is composed enough to be able to kiss Darnay before he is taken back to his cell.
After hearing the verdict, Carton goes to the Defarges' wine shop, where he pretends to not understand French. The Defarges speak openly around him, and Carton overhears that they are going to accuse Lucie and Little Lucie as well. We goes to the apartment and tells Lorry to prepare for their immediate departure the next day, before Darnay's execution. Lorry promises to save a spot for Carton, and leave as soon as he arrives. Early the next morning, Carton uses his favor from Barsad to enter Darnay's cell an hour before his scheduled execution. He switches clothes with Darnay, and before Darnay knows it, Carton drugs him with the chloroform that he bought. Barsad drags the real Darnay out, claiming that he fainted from the emotion of seeing his friend for the last time. The unconscious Darnay is taken to Lorry's awaiting carriage and everyone believes he is Carton.
Cruncher and Ms. Pross are scheduled to finish packing and leave after the others. Unfortunately, Madame Defarge decides to check on Lucie before that days executions, and heads for her apartment. She gets there only to find Ms. Pross. They don't speak each other's language, but get the gist of what the other is saying. A struggle ensues when Ms. Pross wont let Madame Defarge leave. The struggle lasts until Madame Defarge draws for her gun, and accidentally shoots and kills herself. Ms. Pross leaves her dead body there as she meets Cruncher at their carriage. Cruncher realizes that something is wrong when Ms. Pross can't hear anything. She has indeed gone deaf.
Things become tense for the reader as Lorry's carriage is stopped at several checkpoints to have their papers verified by officials. Everything checks out, and they escape safely.
The book ends with an emotional scene at the guillotine. Carton is carted to his death with 51 others. He holds the hand of a young peasant girl along the way, who says that he gives her courage and strength. He kisses her goodbye and ensures her that it will be quick. Madame Defarge's friends note that she is late and never misses an afternoon at the guillotine. Carton, or 'Darnay', is the next up to be killed. He imagines the life that Darnay and Lucie will live together because of the one that he gave up. He sees Lucie crying for him on the anniversary of his death, and Manette and Lorry living happy, long lives. Carton finally sees that his name is redeemed and that he has now made up for his disappointing life. Carton knows his decision was the right one, and the crowd is described at noticing how peaceful and calm Carton's disembodied head looked. A Tale of Two Cities ends here, with a bittersweet ending that leaves its readers feeling emotional.